What term describes the rights of a landowner to use water from a river flowing through their property?

The term that describes the rights of a landowner to use water from a river flowing through their property is riparian rights. These rights are specifically associated with land that is adjacent to a body of water, granting the landowner the ability to use the water for various purposes, such as irrigation, consumption, and recreational activities, as long as it does not significantly harm the water rights of other adjacent landowners.

Riparian rights are important in water law as they balance the needs of various property owners who rely on the same water source. This system ensures that those with land adjacent to flowing water have the necessary access to it, fostering a level of shared responsibility and sustainable use.

Other terms listed, like appurtenant rights, surface rights, and subjacent rights, describe different types of property rights. Appurtenant rights relate to benefits that come with property ownership but do not imply ownership of water specifically. Surface rights generally refer to the rights to use the land surface itself, which may include activities like building or farming. Subjacent rights pertain to the rights to minerals or resources located below the surface of the land. Each of these terms serves distinct legal contexts, making riparian rights the most accurate choice for the question regarding water rights associated